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(No Model.) H 4 Sheets-Sheet 1-. I

F. M. SCHMIDT. SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK. No. 502,935.. Patented Aug.8, 1893.

Tll Tl- E 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

' P. M. SCHMIDT.

SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

No. 502,935. Patented Aug. 8, 1893.

C a H w 5 E on, P g flV m & w J o v7 J V rd O 9o W J w w h m (No Model.)4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. M SCHMIDT. SELF WIND YG ELEGTRIG CLOCK.

No. 502,935. Patented Aug. 8, 1893.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

F. M. SCHMIDT. SELF WINDING BLEOTRIO CLOCK. No. 502,935. v Patented Aug.8, 1893.

1:62am 1 i m M12726 J66 Tllllllllllll"3%? I eflhr Z T z/ QQZMM UwrrsoSTATES PATENT Ormcn.

FREDERICK M. SCHMIDT, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO THE SELF YVINDING CLOCKCOMPANY, OF NENV YORK, N. Y.

SELF-WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 502,935, dated August8, 1893.

Application filed January 19. 1893. Serial No. 58,911. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: the circuit for the magnet. Fig. Xis adetail Be it known thatI, FREDERICK M. SCHMIDT, edge view of the windingcrank, and Fig. XI a citizen of the United States, residing at is a faceview thereof. Brooklyn, county of Kings, State of New York, Referringnow to the accompanying draw- 55 5 have invented certain new and usefulImings, the letter A indicates the main frame provements in ElectricSelfWinding Clocks, of the clock mechanism which may be of suitof whichthe following is a specification. able construction. B is the handarbor, C the The present invention relates to that class hour wheel andD the spring drum or going of clocks, which are provided with anelectric barrel containing main spring D all of which 60 motor, thrownperiodically into operation by parts, together with the train of gearingmay the action of the clock itself, for rewinding be of suitableconstruction, not forming part the clock spring, and the presentinvention of my present inven ion excepting in so far has for its objectto improve the means for as the wheel C and drum D co-aet with myimwinding the main spring, and to insure the provements. 65 I 5 properbreaking of the electric circuit as soon The toothed wheel a connectedwith the as the spring has been wound sufficiently. spring drum (orbroadly speaking, with the Another object of the invention is to guardmain spring D meshes with a pinion b on an against the crank of thewinding mechanism arbor d journaled in frame A, whereby when remainingon the dead center at the moment pinion Z) is turned by the motor(hereinafter 7o the magnets of the motor are energized. described) thedruinD will be turned to wind A further object of the invention is toi1nthe main spring D On the arbor (l is a prove and simplify the severalparts and contoothed wheel G that meshes with a pinion e nections forthe spring winding mechanism. on an arborfjournaled in frame A and pref-The invention consists in the novel details erably carrying a fly wheelg to regulate the 75 z 5 of improvement and the combinations of partsrotation of the parts. The arbor f preferably I that will be more fullyhereinafter set forth carries a projecting cam 77. engaged by a pawl andthen pointed out in the claims. 'i to prevent reverse movement of saidarbor Reference is to be had to the accompanying (see Fig. VI). Thearborf is to be turned to drawings forming part hereof, whereinwind themain spring D by a motor, prefer- 8o Figure I is a side elevation of aself windably electric, and for this purpose carries a ing clockmechanism containing myimprovecrank 11 that is connected bya pitmanIwith ments. Fig. II is an edge view thereof. Fig. the actuating part ofthe motor. In the ex- III is a side elevation of the clock mechanampleshown, the motor consists of a magnet ism partly broken, looking fromthe side opor magnets J and armatureL (withasuitable 8 posite that shownin Fig. I. Fig. IV isa plan electric generator, say a battery 2, andconview of the clock frame, omitting the clock nections). The armatureshown is of the osmechanism, showingaportion of my improvecillatingvariety and is pivotally carried in ments, part beingin section. Fig.Visaplan frame A, and arranged to be attracted by View showing thewinding drum and hour magnet J in well known manner. The pito 0 wheel,and my improved circuit closers that man I is pivotally connected withthe armaco-act therewith. Fig. V1 is a side elevation ture L so that asthe armature oscillates the of the mechanism, one side of the framebepitman will act to turn crank H, and thereby ing removed, showing thecircuit closers in rotate arbor f to wind the spring D while the thepositions they assume when the springis fly wheel g acts to continue thewinding as 5 being rewound. Fig. VII is aside view of the the armatureretreats from the magnet.

spring drum, showing the means for breaking As the armature Loscillates, the circuit the circuit at the proper time, and Fig. VIIIthrough magnet J is alternately broken and is an edge view of the hourwheel and spring closed follows (see Figs. I and IX): M is drum, showingtheir connection with my iman oscillating lever arm or escapement thatisI00 proved circuit closers. Fig. IX is a partly pivotally carried byframe A but insulated broken side elevation of the clock, showingtherefrom. One end of lever or escapement M is preferably bifurcatedforming prongs j,

7 between which an insulated projection Z, carried by armature L freelypasses. The end m of lever or escapement M is adapted to alternatelymake and break connection with a contact or strip 0 carried by frame A,and preferably in electrical contact therewith, whereby said frame mayform part of the electrical circuit. The lever or escapement M is inelectrical connection with the magnet J by wire 3 thereby being includedin the cir cuit. The projection Z normally holds lever or escapement Min such position that it will engage contact 0 and thus establish anormally closed circuit at that point. Now, when magnet J is energized(as hereinafter specified) and attracts armature L, the projection Zwill rise and engage prongj of lever or escapement M, thereby turningthe latter slightly and disengaging the partm from contact 0, thusbreaking the circuit. The armature L now descends and its projectionZnext engages prong 3' of lever or escapement M, thereby restoring partm of lever M to engagement with contact 0, to re-establish the circuit,and so on alternately as thearmature L oscillates.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that when circuit is closedthrough magnet J, armature L will oscillate to make and break thecircuit while at the same time the crank II will be turned to wind themain spring.

The manner of closing the main circuit through magnet J at the propertime, is as fol- 10ws:One terminal of magnet J may be connected with theline circuit 1) direct, while the frame A may be connected to the otherwire of the line circuit,but the manner of establishing the line circuitmay be varied as desired. To the frame A (or otherwise included in thecircuit) is connected a contact strip N. A corresponding strip N (seeFig. V) carried by frame A but insulated therefrom, connects with theline wire 13 (see Figs. VI and IX). The strips N, N are arranged inpairs but are prevented from making contact by insulation q, carried byone strip (see Fig. V). Electrical connection is established betweenstrips N and N at the proper moment, by means of a contact or the likeP, that is passed between said strips or contacts by means of the hourwheel 0, whereby the circuit will be established from battery 2 throughwire 1) to strip N contact I to the frame A, contact 0, lever M, wire 3,magnet J and wire 1) to the battery 2. The contact P is preferablypivotally carried by an arm or the like Q that is loosely hung on thearbor B (see Fig. VI). The arm Q carries a projection or toe (1 that isadapted to engage contact P to lift it into the position to pass betweenand make contact with strips N and N when the wheel 0 arrives at theposition desired for winding the main spring D A pin or projection r onarm Q limits the movement of contact P on its pivot when it passes frombetween strips N, N By this means also, if the wheel C should by anychance move in the reverse direction from that intended, the dog P willrest on pin 0' so as not to be in position to pass between strips N, NThe arm Q is turned at the proper momentby wheel 0 and for this purposea pin or projection s on wheel 0 engages arm Q, to carry contact Pbetween strips N, N

In order that the contact I will not remain so long between the stripsN, N (011 account of the slow movement of wheel C) that the spring Dwould be wound too tight, I provide means to permit the drum or goingbarrel D to move contact P from contact with strips N, N while at thesame time permittii'ig the spring D to be wound as much as necessary.For this purpose the arm Q carries a pin or the like if that is adaptedto be engaged by a pin or projection to movably connected with drum D.For this latter purpose the pin it is carried by an arm R hung looselyon arbor B (see Fig. VII). The arm R is turned byapin or the like U,connected with wheel (L or drum D. Now, when dog P has been brought intocontact with strips N, N by wheel 0, and the circuit is thus establishedthrough magnet J, the motor and connections before described will turndrum D, and cause pin a, to engage pin t to carry contact P away fromstrips N, N to break the circuit and stop the winding as soon as thespring D has been wound sufficiently. By means of the loose or movableconnection between contact P and wheel 0, said contact can be movedquicklyawayfrom strips N,'N by arm B when the main spring issufficiently wound to suddenly break contact at that point. This isessential on ac count of the slow movement of wheel 0. As the-pin u iscarried on the independently movable arm R, the drum D is permittedfurther rotation in winding than it would be (before the circuit breaks)if the pin Lt were rigidly connected with it.

To overcome the danger of the crank H being on the dead center when thecircuit is first established through the magnet J, I place on the arborB, a projection to that is adapted to operate upon a lever S or anextension 0: thereof (see Figs. III and IV). The lever S is preferablyangle-shaped, and hung on the outer side of frame A, its extension a;passing through an opening g in frame A (see Fig. III). To lever S ispivotally connected a sliding bar T,suitablysupported on frame A, say bymeans of a pin or screw on frame A passing through a slot .2, in bar T,or otherwise. The free end of bar T (which is pref erably elongated orwidened as in Fig. III) abuts against the pitman I, or a wearing pieceor extension U thereof, (see Figs. III, IV and X.) AspringVconnectinglever S with frame A, serves to hold bar T in contact with extension Uof pitman I. lVith this arrangement, the bar T will normally hold thecrank off of the dead center and when the motor operates to wind mainspring D the projection 20 will bear upon extension :1: of lever S andpress it down, thereby moving the outer end of lever S in the directionof the arrow in Fig. III, thus withdrawing bar T from pitman I,distending spring V and holding arm T away from the crank. hen thespring has been sufficiently wound, projectlon 10 will pass fromextension :0 of lever S and thus allow spring V to draw lever S. Bar Twill now be suddenly and with force, proected against extension U ofpitman I thus carrying the crank H away from the dead center, whereuponthe armature L is left free to oscillate the next time the circuitestablishes through magnet J.

Abrief summary of the complete operation of my improvements may beoutlined as follows:Suppose it is desired that the main spring berewound once every hour: the pins 8, t and u will be so located that atthe end of each hour the contact P will be brought into engagement withstrips N, N to close the electric circuit through magnet J, the lever Mbeing normally in contact with strip 0. (The main spring D may now haveabout run down.) Armature L will now oscillate to drive shaftf and bymeans of pinions e, b and wheels G, a, the drum D will turn to wind thespring D This will continue until spring I) is sufficiently wound,whereupon pin V of drum D will have arrived at such a position as tocause pinstand w to engage, whereupon contact P, will be carried awayfrom strip N thus breaking the main circuit through magnet J andstopping the motor.

It will be understood that if the strip N only were used the circuitwould be established at P, N as the contact P is normally in thecircuit, while the strip N is normally insulated therefrom. But by mynew circuit controlling mechanism, the current need not pass through anyoil holes or any revolving members of the clock train. It completes thecircuit direct through N, N thus avoiding trouble from bad contactsderived from gummy or dirty oil. The contact P acts as a plug betweenthe two contact springs N, N by passing between them, completing thebattery circuit. It will be understood that contact N may bedisconnected from the frame and the circuit completed between P and Ndirect.

My device combines all the features of a perfect electric contactsuch aslong life, givinga wiping contact and a drop make and break. There is noliability of its becoming disarranged when once set up. Another valuablefeature is the loose contact P on the center arbor; it being seteccentric it will pass under center contact springs without doublingthem up if for any reason the train should have reversed. Longexperience has proved oily and gummy contacts to be avery objectionablefeature of controlling devices used heretofore.

By means of the oscillating armature and the crank H, I am enabled toobtain a positive and quick acting mechanism for wind ing the clockspring, without danger of the parts becoming deranged.

I would observe that the electrical circuits and connections may bearranged as desired.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as newtherein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a self winding clock, the combination of the going barrel, aspring drum and an electric motor having an oscillating or reciprocatingarmature, a rotative crank connected therewith, and mechanism betweensaid crank and said going barrel for turning the latter by the former,substantially as described.

2. I11 a self winding clock, a motor comprising a magnet, and armature,and a rotative crank connected with the latter, combined with windingmechanism between said crank and the drum or going barrel and with acircuit closer controlled by the hour wheel or arbor, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a self winding clock, a motor comprising a magnet and armature, acircuit controller actuated by said armature, a rotative crank alsoactuated by said armature and mechanism between said crank and the goingbarrel for driving the latter by the former, and a circuit closeractuated by the hour wheel or arbor to close the circuit for saidmagnet, substantially as described.

4:. In a self winding clock, an electric motor and connections therefor,combined with a contact to be actuated by the train of gearing, an armhung loosely on an arbor of the train of mechanism, said contact beingpivotally carried by said arm, a projection for holding said contact inthe operating position, a contact N to be engaged by said other contactto close the circuit through the motor and means for carrying saidcontact away from said contact N substantially as described.

5. In a self-winding clock, an electric motor and connections therefor,combined with a contact P, a loosely hung arm to which said contact ispivoted, a contact N in the circuit to be engaged by said contact P, aloosely hung arm and connections between it and the spring drum or goingbarrel for moving one by the other, and with connections betweensaickarms, for moving the contact-carrying arm by the other arm,substantially as described.

6. In a self winding clock, an electric motor and a crank connectedtherewith for wind ing the main spring of the clock combined with meansfor throwing said crank from the dead center, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a self winding clock, an electric magnet and armature and a crankconnected therewith for winding the clock main spring combined withmeans for throwing said crank from the dead center, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a self winding clock, an electric mo tor and connections therefor,combined with a crank connected with said motor for winding the clockspring, a lever for throwing said crank from the dead center, and meansconnected with the clock train for tripping said lever to move saidcrank, substantially as described.

9. In a self winding, clock, an electric motor and connections therefor,combined with a crank connected therewith for winding the clock spring,a lever to throw the crank from the dead center, a projection connectedwith the clock train to co-act with said lever to trip the latter, and aspring to move said lever, substantially as described.

10. In a self winding clock, the combination of an electric motor and acrank connected therewith, a lever S, a projection connected with theclock train to trip said lever, a spring to move said lever and a bar Rconnected with said lever and acting on said crank to throw it from thedead center, substantially as described.

11. In a self winding clock an elcctro-magnet and armature and a crankconnected therewith for winding the clock main spring combined withgearing between said spring and said crank and a fly wheel forcontinuing the winding while the armature retreats from the magnet,substantially as described.

FREDERICK M. SCHMIDT.

\Vitnesses:

L. WooLsEY, M. V. Brneoon.

